Sutter Health, UnitedHealthcare renew network relationship

Sacramento-based Sutter Health and UnitedHealthcare said Monday that they have renewed their network relationship, giving people enrolled in the latter’s employer-sponsored and Medicare Advantage plans access to Sutter Health facilities and physicians through 2017.

Officials said the renewal expands the use of performance-based incentives designed to reward Sutter Health physicians for the quality of care delivered while managing medical costs. This includes providing certain Medicare patients with access to Sutter Health’s Advanced Illness Management program, a home-based approach to provide chronically ill patients with physical and emotional support.